[Footnote 27:  Dr Hawkesworth, we see, is at loggerheads with both priests and physicians, and spares neither.  Let the respective members of these bodies defend their crafts as they best can.  Certainly they will have the bias of the multitude in their favour, and so need to care little about the insinuations and sarcasms of the few.  If nine-tenths of mankind give them credit for their pretences, and of consequence yield to their influence, they may contentedly, without a grudge, see the remaining modicum persist in their obstinacy.  The fact is, however, that the fears and hopes of mankind are almost always superior in efficacy to their reason, and accordingly, in the two predicaments of bodily and spiritual health, are continually acting like tendrils which embrace with undistinguishing affection whatever comes in their way, as the ivy clings to the tree or wall that happens to be in its neighbourhood.  Influence, once acquired by accident or artifice, is easily prolonged by him who knows the secret of its origin and existence—­and hence in all ages and countries of the world, the mysteries and mummeries of designing men, leagued to practise on the infatuated propensities and real weaknesses of their fellow creatures.  It is not till many generations have passed, that the small sparks of reason, occasionally shooting off in various directions, have penetrated the gloomy atmosphere around them, and ascertained the universal and unqualified dependence of the whole human race on the same uncontroulable powers.  In proportion as these rays of light have coalesced, the presumption of the learned brethren has decreased; and should this superlative discovery be ever consummated in the general conviction of society, then will their characters undergo a thorough revolution—­they will be loved more and admired less—­they will be considered, not as the repositories of secrets to be dispensed with the cold hand of calculating avarice and hypocrisy, but as the liberally minded declarers of those generally beneficial truths which honest study has discovered, in their peculiar departments of science.  Till then the world must submit to wonder and believe, and, above all things, to pay them fees.  But, looking forward to this era of improvement, they may join with the poet in saying

   Yes! there are hearts, prophetic Hope may trust,
   That slumber yet in uncreated dust,
   Ordain’d to fire th’ adoring sons of earth
   With every charm of wisdom and of worth;
   Ordain’d to light, with intellectual day,
   The mazy wheels of Nature as they play.—­E.]